The Chicago Tribune severed its relationship with a freelance international writer now in Australia, who pulled a Jayson Blair.
Reporter Uli Schmetzer has, at the very least, attributed a real quote to a fictitious name. Here is the Trib’s correction. Here is Schmetzer’s original report. Here is ombudsman Don Wycliff’s column on the mess. And here is an AP report on the Trib’s site indicating that Schmetzer was fired.
Shmetzer also reported from Israel for the Tribune. Two examples:
Aug. 11, 2003 ‘Israeli Planes Strike in Lebanon’
July 10, 2002 ‘Jews Only Bill Roils Israel’
We’re wondering if Shmetzer invented any quotes in his Israel coverage also…
